From the Horse's Mouth

[Michael]

I kid you not but there is a horse called Van Beethoven running in the Curragh (Ireland) tomorrow, Saturday 7th July.

In spite of what the news item says, I urge you not to place any bets on him as I've had a word with his trainer. He told me (in complete confidence, of course) that this horse is hard of hearing and in every race he always finishes 9th.

https://www.theirishfield.ie/curragh...y-tune-384123/

[Michael]

Unbelievably, my wife backed this horse without my knowledge and Van Beethoven won.
Only ten euro but it's the thought that counts, seeing as she never backed a horse before!

[Chris]

Always bet on Beethoven!

[Michael]

You're right, Chris.

All I said to my wife was that there was a horse called "Van Beethoven" running in the Curragh (a famous race-course over here) and (without telling me) she went into a local betting office and she had to ask for assistance in placing the bet.

It was "even money" as, I think, the expression goes, but she put down ten euro and won twenty.

My main problem now is how to convince her that all the proceeds should go to yours truly!

I hope Beethoven won't lead us down the slippery slope of gambling!!!

Why the hell didn't she put down 500 euro?


https://www.theirishfield.ie/video-v...stakes-384388/


.

[Quijote]

I'm not a betting man, but with a horse bearing that name I would have certainly placed a couple of hundred florins on it !!

[Quijote]

Come to think of it, if the horse's name is Van Beethoven, what was the name of the jockey? Looking at the photo in Michael's link, it's a smallish guy, so probably not Ignatius Schuppanzigh...

[Quijote]

Just checked on Google, the jockey was a certain Ryan Lee Moore.
Hmm. Moore ... moor ... moorish ... dark skinned .... Spanish .... Beethoven dark looking ... died in the house of the Black-robed Spaniards ...
Yes, a connection !!!
Excuse me while I get my anorak and pop out in search of a life...

[Michael]

Just checked on Google, the jockey was a certain Ryan Lee Moore.
Hmm. Moore ... moor ... moorish ... dark skinned .... Spanish .... Beethoven dark looking ... died in the house of the Black-robed Spaniards ...
Yes, a connection !!!

Excuse me while I get my anorak and pop out in search of a life...

I'll pop out in search of a drink with my winnings!

I wonder if Haydn or Mozart are running in anything? Rossini would be a good bet if they played the William Tell Overture.